Tea tribes of Assam demand schedule tribe status

Laborers in Assam's tea estate are demanding scheduled tribe status. These workers migrated to the region from neighbouring states of Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Chattisgarh in search of better prospects. Although they have settled down in the state, they are still waiting for scheduled tribe status that is accorded to similar groups in their original homelands. They at present receive a daily wage of Rs 50 for five working days in a week.